Effects of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent mice.

Abstract

Viral infections are frequently found in opioid addicts, subjecting them to immune challenge. However, the effects of immune challenge on opioid withdrawal are not fully understood. In the present study, mice were intraperitoneally injected with 2mg/kg polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C, a viral mimetic) for 3 days to induce an immune challenge, followed by subcutaneous injection of morphine 3 times per day for 3 days to induce morphine dependence. Withdrawal was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 5mg/kg naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist. The results showed that Poly I:C pretreatment did not alter body weight loss, jumping behavior, or locomotion during naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. In contrast, Poly I:C pretreatment significantly increased immobility time in the tail suspension test. Our findings suggest that Poly I:C-induced immune challenge has no effects on acute physical opioid withdrawal symptoms but facilitates depression-like behavior.

• Authors: Lei Chen, Haifeng Zhai, Lin Lu, Suqing Chen, Yaqing Ning, Weiping Wang
• Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett) Vol. 487 Issue 3 Pg. 341-4 (Jan 10 2011) ISSN: 1872-7972 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 20974220 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Interferon Inducers
• Narcotic Antagonists
• Naloxone
• Poly I-C

Topics

• Animals
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Interferon Inducers (pharmacology)
• Mice
• Morphine Dependence
• Naloxone (pharmacology)
• Narcotic Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Poly I-C (pharmacology)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (immunology)